The ancient Timbuktu manuscripts have been the target of Islamic rebels, with attempts to burn and destroy these priceless collections, as well as the libraries that held them.Through more than 1,200 trips, Dr. Haidara personally evacuated more than 20,000 of the manuscripts to safety, at great personal peril. Dr. Gates will discuss with Dr. Haidara why the manuscripts have such lasting importance; and New Yorker international war correspondent Jon Lee Anderson will talk about the current state of affairs in Mali, and what it will take, on an international level, to help reunite the country and return peace.

The Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium and the Ruth and Harold D. Uris Center for Education are equipped with infrared sound enhancement systems (with headsets and neck loops). To obtain a headset or neck loop please ask an usher. Headsets and neck loops are available free of charge with identification. Real-time captioning is also available upon request.